ASEAN economic ministers have reportedly broadly agreed to sharply reduce barriers on almost all of their product lines in a bid to make the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) trade agreement a reality. Though this might represent an incremental step forward in dramatically lifting trade within an area boasting almost 40 percent of global GDP, familiar challenges still remain.
A tangible guideline for cooperation with Southeast Asia is due to be announced at the Asean-South Korea summit in November.
Micro, small and medium sized enterprises (MSMEs) hold important role for the economic development of Vietnam, said participants to meetings within the framework of the ongoing 24th Small and Medium Enterprises Ministerial Meeting (SMEMM) held in Ho Chi Minh City.
Canada has agreed to commence exploratory discussions on a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the 10 member nations that make up Asean, according to an announcement by the Canada-Asean Business Council (CABC).
At Puzhai Port, a trade zone bordering Vietnam in south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, trucks carrying dragon fruit, durian and other tropical fruit passing through the streets of one of the busiest trade hubs in the region.
Building a vibrant start-up eco-system is an important step in the Asia Pacific region, Võ Tân Thành, vice president of the Việt Nam Chamber of Commerce and Industry, has said.
The digital economy and e-commerce are opening up opportunities for micro-, small- and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) to connect to global value chains, allowing access to regional and global markets, experts said at a workshop held on Tuesday in HCM City.
US companies are optimistic about the growth outlook and investment opportunities in Asean as businesses see solid growth in domestic consumption, according to a survey.
<p>Time: November 2025<br /> By: WTO and International Trade Group, Legal Department – VCCI</p>
